How many OHN's are on these board?

I am an OHN trained in Nigeria, graduated atfer a 12-month training last year and currently doing my Bsc. Nursing in UKZN, Durban, South Africa.

Hi,

I am an occupational health nurse in a manufacturing facility. I have been working in Occ med for 7 years.

Sorry, I have not been checking as often as I should but I do check it from time to time. Your question did not appear on my email so I either do not have it set up right or . . .

hello good day. i'm in occupational health too and im in this job for 2years and i am enjoying it (this is my first job post registration - i started as a practical nurse in a secondary hospital for 6 months then quit the job for registration exam review and preparation then realized that hospital nursing is not my forte). i just want to know, do i need to have a hospital experience if im going to apply as an OHN in the US? my NCLEX exam is still on process. thanking you in advance for the response.

Hi,

I work in manufacturing and have been an OHN for 10 years. For the past 4 years my job has changed and my main duties are now Medical Case Management. Our clinic was vended out and I don't work in the clinic anymore, but do provide oversight for the clinic nurses.

Steve here. Became a RN in 2004, did Med/Surg then Adult ICU then burnt out and moved to Occ Med.

I've been either Occupational Health Nurse or combined Nurse/Safety Specialist at a paper mill; a toy factory; an ink factory; a major gun manufacturer and now manage a small Occ Med clinic at what used to be the world's largest automaker.

I routinely deal with boo boo's; poisonings (chloramine, polychlorinated biphenyls, etc) lacerations, crushed limbs, more boo boos, teach CPR/First Aid and Bloodborne Pathogens; do Worker's Comp; Ergo and lots of other stuff. I just love it.

I'm COHC (Certified Occupational Hearing Conservationist) and do spirometry and will sit for the COHN-S in a month or two. (If my company does not go bankrupt before that).

I've a BS in Chem which helps, and a BS in Safety Studies which is useful. I enjoy accident investigation and fielding OSHA complaints and I like just about everybody be they Union or management.

Nice to meet 'ya all. Btw, I am working in MA but live in NH. If anyone hears of a good job in NH I might be needing one soon...

Hi Steve,

It's 4 months since you posted. Was wondering if you were still in the market for another job and if your job is still secure. Since you work in New England, Massachuesetts (spelling???) and live in the NH area why don't you check out this website: Nancy Clover's website. She is an OHN who has an agency with some direct hire positions in your area.

http://www.occhealthconnections.com/index.php?option=com_jobline&Itemid=53

Hope this helps!

Lilly

I am working as a occupatoinal nurse and safety specialist in a manufacturing facility

Welcome Goodrich, "manufacturing..." is manufacturing still going on in America? *chuckle* (only kidding, I work at GM though I'm contract.)

It's occurred to me that the current ongoing devaluation of the US dollar could very well create a renaissance in manufacturing here in the US.

For instance, not a US made car that cost a Canadian, let's say, 28,000 Canadian now only would cost 23,000 Canadian, so if this continues (and I think it will) our dollar will buy less (for us) than it did last year, but our manufactured goods will become all that more competative in the world economy. (Assuming that any of them other than China actually recovers in the next several years.

I've been told that my job is "toast," as my unit is slated to be closed, but nobody seems to know exactly when that will happen. Oh well... I just hope it lasts through "heating oil" season. (I live in NH) I wonder how others are doing in these odd economic times?

My insurance has been trashed, both dental and medical, and no "cost of living" or any other wage increase is in sight--but I'm happy to have a job, and Occ-Heath rules!

Hi, there. I hope that your job has made it this far. Pending lay offs are so very hard. You might check with YOH healthcare, they have positions in many parts of the US, including the northeast. I have found them to be a good, reliable contract company to work for that specializes in Occ Health. Also, if you have never tried it, I have branched off into correctional care. I saw the job description for corrections and thought...hmmm...that sounds a great deal like Occ Health care. It is surprisingly interesting. Treat the inmates as human beings and not dogs (as so many nurses do), and they will treat you accordingly. There are always a few troublemakers, but they are rare. I think it is a good avenue to pursue that you might like, and every state has corrections positions somewhere! I am currently working an occ health contract, but plan to return to corrections and per diem elsewhere when doen. Good luck in the future, I wish you the very best.

Well, I wonder if you're still here after 10 years?! I've been an OHN since I graduated nursing school in 1996. I worked in OH as a medical assistant for 4 years prior to becoming a nurse. While in nursing school I worked in the ICU.

I have LOVED the field. I've worked in the urgent care setting, manufacturing, corporate, warehouse and now for a City.

AAOHN and your local chapters are great resources to help you find what your are looking for.